Audio Journal of Global Health Issues: Smoking Inequalities Explain Half the Mortality Differences Between Men of Different Socioeconomic Groups

REFERENCE: Lancet, 2006; 364:367 and 341
A study published in the Lancet from the University of Toronto concludes that half of the mortality differences between social and economic groups can be explained by differences in smoking. Because poorer people are more likely to smoke they are also more likely to die, the study suggests, with smoking emerging as the biggest single factor explaining such inequalities. Michael Marmot of University College London wrote the accompanying editorial in the Lancet and answered questions from Peter Goodwin.